Tracks to the Future

As the Civil War is nearing its end, progress is well under way. At the time, Olmsted County, Minnesota is rural in nature. There were few roads, we would call them trails. Transportation was limited to riding a horse or wagon or hopping onboard a stagecoach. In October 12, 1864, that all changed. That was the day the Winona & St. Peter Railroad came to town. Along with enactment of the Homestead Act in 1862, the County's future was thus set in motion. Growth and prosperity were just ahead along with some setbacks.